USCM tactical footage

Sgt Heider: “Check, check, onetwo onetwo. Are we live, is this thing recording? Serrez, do you read me?”
Cpl Serrez: “Loud and clear sir.”
Sgt Heider: “Good. Make sure we get everything in the transmission. Wouldn’t want the recruits back at the academy miss our heroic butt kicking for their tactical training, ain’t that right marines?”

[Various "Right on", "Absolutely sir"]

Sgt Heider: “Alright. Here we go. Investigating potential Xenomorph outbreak aboard the Antigua after losing communication 10 days ago. Hazard level three cargo aboard, multiple live drones in stasis containers and a dozen eggs under quarantine static shielding. Crew count… ten: Two scientist, Dr. Jean McDouglas and Dr. Ling Hin Mao. Two USCM science officers, PFC J. J. Santiago and PFC Tom Alberts. Four Weyland-Yutani security officers, John Neuman, Jack Steiger, Peter Holstom and Jin Jan-Ho. The vessel’s piloted by Sam and Cartwright, both artificials. [pause, low voice] Well, so much for the obituary.”

[Short sardonic laughs by the marines, nervous exhale by Sgt Heider]

Sgt Heider: “Cut that last part Serrez.”
Cpl Serrez: “Done.”
Sgt Heider: “Ok everybody, fall in, stack up. Johnson, hack the air lock.”
PFC Johnson: “On it sir”

[A moment of nervous silence, then the sound of air pressurizing, venting, doors opening]

Sgt Heider: “Get ready marines. And ” move move move.”

[Marines entering dimly lit corridor. Visible signs of distress, sparks flying, lights flickering]

Sgt Heider: “I want an orderly sweep. Vallero, Haynes, flank right. Czyciewski, Sparrs, flank left. I want motion scanner reads every two seconds. We need to get to the bridge first. We’ll round up any personnel alive or wounded on the way. First order of the day is to get access to the camera logs and assess the situation. This is an old vessel with compact corridors. Stay sharp, there are plenty of opportunities to get ambushed.”

[Marines moving through corridors. Motion scanner reads. Moving around a corner, left, moving around a corner, right, until encountering a locked door]

Sgt Heider: “Johnson, check the lock”
PFC Johnson: “Yes sir”

[Johnson moving up, attaching hacking device]

PFC Johnson: “Looks like it’s shot sir. Appears as if somebody disabled it from the other side. I’ll see if I can reroute power from that conduit over there.”

[Points to a wall on the left]

PFC Czyciewski: “Woah.”
Sgt Heider: “What is it private?”
PFC Czyciewski: “I just got a scanner reading for about a second. Three blips but it’s all quiet now”
Sgt Heider: “Could be wounded personnel. Sinclair, get the medkits ready.”
PFC Sinclair: “Yes sir”
Sgt Heider: “How we’re doing on that reroute Johnson?”
PFC Johnson: “Gimme a few secs sarge. I need to increase the power output on the hydraulics. Seems like something’s stuck.”
Cpl Haynes: “What if the Xenos are right behind the door?”
PFC Sinclair: “I don’t think so. Those suckers are always hiding out in dark corners. They’re never out in the open.”
Cpl Haynes: “I heard they’re pretty smart. Maybe they know we’re coming?”
Sgt Heider: “Czyciewski, any more scanner readings?”
PFC Czyciewski: “Negative.”
PFC Johnson: “Got it. I am ready to open the door.”
Sgt Heider: “Everyone on the ready. Hit it Johnson.”

[Metal shrieking, particles flying. Then loud hissing noises, deafening shrieks. Three nightmarish creatures charging through the door]

Sgt Heider: “Holy crap. What the…”

[Rounds firing, screams, flashing lights]

– Signal lost –

© Thorsten Becker

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